Today I decided to not publish my regular product Monday post. Instead, I am going to talk about losing the mojo, gumption, drive, and then regaining it.
For 44 years I have been all about soap, fragrance, and natural skin care products. Never have I been disinterested.
Recently I couldn’t find the desire to work in my shop. Granted, I have a lot of kids on the ground. I have been tired. I am pushed for time. Sleep and finding time to take care of myself was a struggle.
But the tiny bursts of time I did have to do my craft, work on the business, were not filled with a desire to do it.
Today, as I prepped for a speech I am doing tonight, as I filled a basket full of sample soaps for the business-women in the audience, I thought of a soap that I wanted to make. The desire was immense. I made a batch of Rose Cedarwood goat milk soap. It smelled terrific to me, and it felt good to be creative.
What I realized is, sometimes when we are tired, when we feel backed into a corner, when we feel we have lost sight of our goals in life, what it takes is a bit of quiet time, a short break, and the “go-juice” returns with newness on its wings.
Thank goodness!
I do have plans to add new products to Annie’s Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps. I also have plans for a more natural life in my own household. I will explain all of that in a blog post later this week.
Until then, enjoy your life! Don’t beat yourself up when you feel you hit a dead-end road. Creativity will come back.
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
I know exactly what you’re talking about Mary – about hitting a brick wall. Glad you got re-booted and ready to hit it again.
This soap-making has been a life-long thing with you, and I know you’ll bounce right back! And everybody needs a little down-time. You can’t fire on all cylindars if you don’t get a break once in a while – that’s what vacations are for! Maybe it’s time for you to take a vacation!
Hang in there!
I have to laugh at the word vacation. When I worked a 9-5 corporate job I craved vacations. I dreamed of the ocean, the mountains, you named it. Now, I really do not crave vacations. What I do enjoy are the quiet times. That, for now, is what I need to make more of, and often.
I hope my openess regarding “rebooting” can help someone else.
I too know exactly what you’re talking about. Every so often, more often than I would like, I just run out of gas. The last time this happened I just decided to spend time creating something beautiful ,just because. Helps with perspective, just as those who work high stress jobs away from home go on vacation, or attend seminars and retreats. Blogging and reading blogs that inspire me really help too.
Rose Cedarwood soap, sounds yummy smelling.
Yes, Kathy, it isn’t needing to get away, it is doing what is inspiring, and having the energy to do those things. A person cannot be inspired if their mind is not freed up to do it.
I am washing the soaping dishes this AM. They smell wonderful!
Always enjoy your posts!
Amy
Thanks, Amy!
You can never tell what the inspiration will be. It’s always interesting. Glad you got your groove back, Stella. 🙂
Hello Della! Hey, that is another good thing to call it, the groove!
Usually when I’m overwhelmed with too much to get accomplished is when I lose my desire.
I don’t care if things get done or not.
Then I take a little time to do something for myself and it gives me a whole new outlook.
Guess we get bogged down with business and don’t take enough me time.
Now I try to fit a little of that in each day. Some days are harder than others, though.
You said that well, Becky. And where would we be if we didn’t do things for ourselves, that includes things for others as well? Good point.